Pro-X Walker adds a workout to your waist pack

One of the common excuses for not exercising enough is lack of time. Work, family, friends, volunteering ... avoiding exercise to take a nap – all these things combine to leave little time for toning the temple. Fitness gurus have responded by designing equipment and activities that work more muscles and burn more calories in less time. The case in point – Pro-X Walker – gets your arms working on a walk, at home, at the office – even while lying down and watching TV.

Some runners and walkers already use waist packs to carry water, snacks, phone, keys and other belongings. The Pro-X Walker takes this familiar form but adds spring activated cables to the belt. The cables are grasped with grab handles and provide resistance to work and tone the arms. A walker's arms already sway while walking; the Pro-X just takes advantage of this movement to up the fitness level.

German manufacturer Carl Stahl Kromer GmbH markets the Pro-X Walker as an alternative to Nordic walking. Like Nordic walking, it provides a fuller workout than walking alone, getting the arms, shoulders and back involved. Its smaller, multi-functional package will certainly prove more convenient to some folks versus long, single-purpose poles. It can also be used at home, on a treadmill, at the office and pretty much anywhere you have the space and time to sway your arms. Twelve exercises have been devised for the device, with input from a physiotherapist.

The Pro-X is available in "Smart" and "Strong" resistance models for €59.90 (approx. US$79 at time of publishing). An optional utility belt with extra storage and water bottle holder can be added for an extra €10 ($13).

The Pro-X Walker with utility belt carries a water bottle and mobile device

The Pro-X Walker can serve as the basis for a series of exercises

Walking, standing, lying down...

The Pro-X Walker can serve as the basis for a series of exercises

The Pro-X Walker can serve as a lower profile alternative to Nordic walking

The Pro-X comes in two resistance levels

The two integrated cables add resistance

The Pro-X Walker uses two integrated cables to add resistance

Pro-X with utility belt

Pro-X with comfort belt

The Pro-X Walker uses two integrated cables to add resistance

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